30 posts categorized "Books"

November 05, 2014

1. AERIN Beauty Rose Balm Lipstick in 07 Geranium ($30 at Nordstrom)
I love my new Aerin lipstick that I've been wearing most of the month. The color Geranium looks darker in the photo than it really is. The color is a universally flattering mauve color that brings in a lot of pink. It brightens up my face and the rose balm has a soft rose sent that is very soothing. The gold case is also very luxe and it doubles as a mirror for me to apply my lipstick.

2. Celine Trio, Size small in Black (650€ in Europe, $1050 in U.S.)
I picked this up in August at Brown Thomas in Dublin, Ireland. It was something I had been lusting after for a couple of years and with the whole exchange rate and VAT tax back in Europe, it was a no brainer for me to get! Also, the store had 1 small black in stock. Kismet, right?! Even as I was about to go to Paris, I didn't want to risk it being out of stock. I've been using it everyday (minus a few here and there when I needed a big tote) since I've gotten it and it can hold a lot of daily essentials. I will do a full review on it soon. In the U.S., you can get Celine at Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Saks and Bergdorf Goodman as well as Celine boutiques.

3. Eve Lom Muslin Cloths ($20.50 for pack of 3 at Amazon)
I really wasn't a fan of the Eve Lom Cleansing Balm but I loved the muslin cloth that it came with so much that I ended up buying more. I gently pat my face clean after washing and it helps exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells.

4. Burberry Beauty Nude Glow Complete Eye Palette ($60 at Nordstrom)
I just rediscovered my love for Burberry Beauty with this eyeshadow quad. I always remembered that their eyeshadows were very finely milled and wanted to invest in a basic brown palette that was easily portable. I love how light this looks on my eyelids and that it's also very buildable too. You can use the shadows wet or dry and the pigmentation is just want I want. Light color that is perfect for everyday. I just love how soft it looks on my eyes, really creating a natural nude look. I plan on doing a full review on my recent Burberry Beauty purchases complete with swatches. Look for that soon!

5. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange ($16.92 on Amazon)
Former Chanel mode and muse, Ines de la Fressange brings Parisian style to the masses in this wonderful style book. It also reads like a great Paris travel guide with tips on where to shop and eat. You can read my post about her recent collaboration with Uniqlo here.

October 27, 2014

French model Inés de la Fressange is still one of the most stylish models around at age 57 today. The former Chanel model has effortless Parisian style which you see in the new Inés de la Fressange Fall/Winter 2014 collection with Uniqlo. It's all about classic items that you can pair with great accessories. Menswear with a twist. I can't tell you how many stylish French women I saw in Paris this summer wearing a black pants suit. Trés chic! Forget those images of fashion bloggers in girly dresses at the Eiffel Tower - This is not really Paris! I am currently in love with her trench coat (on sale for $99.90). For such an affordable coat, there's amazing quality to it. The material is preached cotton and comes with a removable lining for those chilly days. Comes in classic beige or navy. Decisions, decisions!

I also love Inés book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange ($16.92 on Amazon). The book came out in 2011 but I only recently heard about it. It's a wonderful inspiration book as well as a perfect shopping guide if you plan on visiting Paris and need good shopping tips. The book is designed beautifully to feel like a journal with lots of color photos and notes. I love that it also comes with a cute bookmark!

October 12, 2014

I'm a little late this month with my favorites from September but I am happy to post them now and get myself going on this monthly routine. I skipped August because I was mostly in Europe so my favorites from last month will also include a couple of things I really loved from my trip (Chanel palette and Maybeline concealer). Enjoy!

1. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow ($61 at Nordstrom)
On my summer trip, I only brought this eye shadow palette and a few eyeliners to take me through three countries and multiple evenings of dinner in Paris. I even some times apply it with the applicators it comes with because according to makeup genius Lisa Eldrige, these new velvety applicators can give you a different look. I love how buildable the shadows are and I don't get a lot of powder fallout under my eyes. The palette I bought was 204 Tisse Vendome which looks darker in this image here so check it out in person. I love the soft coral color on my lids that works well with the onset of fall. Major love!

2. Acure Argan Oil ($12.99 at Drugstore.com)
I picked this wonderful argan oil at Whole Foods and it's a much cheaper than Josie Maran's. (I could swear the price there was around $11.99 there.) Filled with rich Vitamin E, this is super food for your skin! With essential fatty acids and proteins, argan oil is said to be "liquid gold". It can repair skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, while restoring skin tone and elasticity. I use it at night on top of my whole routine to "set" it all in. It's left the usually dry skin on my forehead incredibly soft!

3. Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask ($65 at Sephora) Anything that bubbles like champagne is a good thing, no? Especially when it bubbles on your face so you can see where it's working to clean your skin. My face feels refreshed and hydrated after. I love doing this a couple times a week now!

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Concealer ($7.39-$7.99 at Target)
I love this drugstore find for its spongy tip that lets me dab concealer under my eyes like a 5 year old art project. j/k! Seriously, the wide sponge is great to just take away those dark circles and eliminates me from having to have an extra step with a brush. I simply pat it through lightly with my fingers to blend it in after. I picked a lighter shade 215 Fair/Light to have a brightening effect on my face.

5. Outlander on STARZ
If you need a good TV show to get addicted to look no further than Outlander on the STARZ cable network. It's sci-fi meets period romance, if that even makes sense. Ok then how about hot men in kilts? The story centers around Claire Randall a former WWII combat nurse who travels back in time to 1743 Scotland thanks to touching an ancient stone circle. Yes it makes no sense but the story somehow does and you will get sucked in. Plus, you'll love her chunky knits she wears on the show. See if you can catch the first eight episodes via On Demand since the rest of Season 1 resumes on April 4, 2014. Of course the TV show is based on author Diana Gabaldon's series of books in the 90's so you can pick up the Outlander novel to tide you over to April.

My good friend and fellow crafter Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss has her first book out, Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress published by Chronicle Books. I recently wrote up a book review and had an interview with Dolin on the site, Racked SF. Dolin's been one of those friends who has impeccable fashion sense and can make just about anything in the world. If I saw her wearing a cute dress or top, more often than not it was something she had just sewn up. She spent over a decade as a patternmaker for the Gap companies and has worked previously at all three entities: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Now Dolin brings her sewing and fashion know-how to a new kind of sewing book. Famous Frocks features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss' sexy lace dress of the millennium. The book comes with step-by-step instructions and 10 full dress patterns with sewing variations to make 20 garments in all. All of her LBD dress patterns are modernized for the gal of today and would look oh so perfect for holiday parties. l also love the colorful dress variations where she includes separates from tops to skirts that are perfect for a novice sewer. The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!

If you are in the Bay Area, come to Alameda on October 11 for a book signing party for Famous Frocks!

September 08, 2014

Chronicle Books has been one of my favorites for almost all kinds of books but especially craft books. Every month, they slash the price on a special selection of ebooks for Chronicle Eye Candy and this month it's all about crafts. Pick up these beautiful craft books filled with fun DIY Projetcs. The eBooks that range in price from $1.99 to $3.99!

August 01, 2014

I thought I would start a new monthly post featuring my top 5 favorites from the past month. A sort of quick list of things that I want to share with you lovelies. Some I have posted about before and some I plan on posting more in detail about in the future. Enjoy!

1. Edison Collection from The Container Store (now on sale from $4.99-13.99)
I just got a smaller compact desk for my loft space and spruced up the shelves with these colorful pieces from the Edison collection. I decided to mix and match the colors to make it look more fun. It's been so functional as I have a place for everything which then keeps my desk clutter free.

2. Clarins Lip Balm Crayons - Limited Edition ($20 at Bloomingdales)
These are probably my favorite thing this summer. I pretty have been rotating between my three colors and just bought the coral color last week that I was missing. It's just the right amount of light color on your lips and it keeps them moisturized for hours. I love the crayon shape which makes it so portable in my small cross body bag I use for summer. They are off the Clarins site now but I found that Bloomingdales has all the colors. (Bloomingdales at the SF Westfield just got a shipment at their counters.) See my previous Coquette post.

3. Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pressed Powder ($30 at Sephora)
I wasn't sure if I was ready to shell out a powder by Too Faced but if you look beyond the plastic packaging, the powder is a perfect one for summer. It's so lightweight and it't just keeps you looking smooth. A little goes a long way and I usually dab my powder brush in there once and gently brush over my face. Unlike other powders, this one comes with a little pad which makes this perfect to put in your handbag when you are on the go and want to be shine free.

5. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris ($17 paperback, $9.99 Kindle version on Amazon)
It's been a busy summer and I've been trying to read more and watch less Netflix on my iPad. To get me into the reading spirit, I couldn't have jumped back easier than with my old favorite David Sedaris. His blend of humor, wit and unforseen circumstances make his everyday life hilarious to read. You can't miss the first story about going to the dentist in France. The short story format makes it easy to pick up each night. I laughed out loud through most of this book while also annoying my husband in the process.

Chronicle Books is having their amazing Warehouse sale again! Just in time for back to school. Stock up on books, gifts and more while saving 65% off hundreds of selected titles. Choose from cookbooks, children’s books, lifestyle + home, arts + crafts, art + design, photography, travel, pop culture, and music titles. Plus, journals, stationery, and much more!

I'm such a paper lover so I'll be checking out their selection of journals and stationery for sure. I'll also be checking out their children's books, craft books and cook books which make fabulous gifts!

May 07, 2014

Time is ticking closer to Mother's Day on Sunday and if you are stumped on what to get Mom, there's nothing better than pretty books and paper. Whenever I am in need for more pretty in my life, I head on over to the folks at Chronicle Books as there is plenty of selection. All of my picks above are available on Amazon so if you are a prime member, you'll get the goods in two days. Easy peasy!

March 05, 2014

I have long hair but I never know what to do with it besides put it in a ponytail when it gets in my way. Christina Bucher of the blog Hair Romance has book out for you DIY hair lovers called Braids, Buns, and Twists! published by Chronicle Books. The book covers pretty much all the hairstyles you will need for daily life as well as for special occasions. From cute fishnet braids to intricate up do's, this book is a beauty to browse through. It also has the most comprehensive variety of braids which has been so helpful for me to do on my 5 year old daughter.

Along with beautiful photos for each hairstyle tutorial, the step-by-step text is accompanied by illustrations to show you how to technically achieve the look, most of them by yourself! As an Asian woman, the book also features gals of every hair color too. I can't tell you how refreshing it is since most hair tutorials I have seen feature blonde women (probably because you can see the details much better with the lighter hair).

Braids, Buns, and Twists is a unique hairstyling book filled with fantastic tutorials that will up the ante on your hair styling routine. And for you future brides, you'll love the hair inspiration for yourself and your bridesmaids.

Messy High Bun
From Braids, Buns, and Twists! by Christina Butcher

Look like you had the best night of your life and just woke up in Paris with the messy high bun. In fact, the lazier you are, the easier this style is—the dirtier your hair, the better the messy high bun will look! If your hair is squeaky clean, use a texturizing powder
or sea salt spray to mess it up before starting this hairstyle. It’s a look that embraces flyaways, so bear that in mind with whatever your plans are. This is a great casual hairstyle, but not necessarily ideal for more formal or work occasions.

Difficulty Level
Easy

Ideal Hair Length
Long

Hair Extensions Needed?
No
Assistance Needed?
No

Accessories
This hairstyle looks effortless because it is! There’s therefore no need to go over the top with accessories. A headband or thin ribbon can help to adorn this bun, but keep it simple and chic.

Try This
The messy high bun is even easier to do if you have naturally curly or wavy hair, and is perfect in second-day hair. The messy bun can also be worn low on the nape of the neck, or to the side.

1. Spray dry shampoo onto your hair to give it some texture and body. You want the finished style to look loose and relaxed, so don’t brush your hair. Use your fingertips to gather all your hair up into a high ponytail and secure with a hair elastic. Place the hair donut at the base of your ponytail.

2–3. Backcomb your ponytail to create even more mess and texture.

4. Gently twist your ponytail and curve it around the base of your ponytail to form a bun. Use bobby pins to secure the bun in place. If your hair is thick or curly, try using hairpins for a stronger hold.

5. Pull some pieces of hair loose around your face and at the nape of your neck to give this style a “lived-in” look.

Top Tip
Dry shampoo is the perfect styling product for creating this hairstyle, whether your hair is clean or dirty. It absorbs oil at the roots of your hair and adds a matte texture to the midlengths and ends.

Disclaimer: The hair tutorial is posted with permission from Chronicle Books.

San Francisco's Exploratorium was a place I loved going to as a kid because it was a wondrous place where I could learn about science while touching everything in sight. Just last year, the Exploratorium moved from the Palace of Fine Arts to it's new Pier 15 location along the Embarcadero. It's now a favorite place my husband and I take our 5 year old daughter. The Tinkering Studio is a recent feature inside the Exploratorium where anyone can sit down and learn how to make something from circuit boards to finger puppets. Launching today is new book, The Art of Tinkering written by The Tinkering Studio's co-directors, Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich. The book showcases 150+ makers working at the intersection of art, science and technology and captures that infectious maker spirit I so deeply love. Inside you'll not only find profiles of important makers but also how you can start tinkering around and explore making things from soft circuits, wire art, puppets, mark-making machines, fused fashion and more.

Featured as one of the makers inside The Art of Tinkering is Moxie Liberman, a fiber artist who's latest art piece Control 2.0 (pictured above) finds itself integrated along with the pipes and plugs along a wall inside the Exploratorium. Moxie can make wool bend and shape itself into any 3D object with a poke of a needle, known as needle felting. Moxie and I go way, way back. We became friends during the second Maker Faire in San Mateo back in 2007 when I worked on the MAKE/CRAFT team. She's been a good friend ever since and I am constantly in awe of how her talent grows each year and how patient and caring she is while teaching others how to tinker with her craft.

Here's my Q&A with Moxie where we talk about her fiber art and what she's making these days:

How did you start your collaboration with the Exploratorium in San Francisco?

Moxie: The Exploratorium may not have known it, but we've been collaborating since I was 8 years old. I grew up in the Bay Area and some of my most vivid childhood memories are of my time spent at The Exploratorium. I used to have dreams that I lived there. Even when I became extremely ill, (in my early 20s) I would conjure memories of the red, cushiony room in the old Tactile Dome as my meditative happy-place. Anyway, cut to 2012, Karen Wilkinson had seen me at Maker Faire and invited me to participate in a talk that turned into a mini-residency. I can't describe how inspiring and supportive the Tinkering Studio crew has been ever since. (I secretly still wish I could live in there, don't tell anyone!)

What was the inspiration behind your art piece Control 2.0 and how long did it take you to complete it?

Moxie: I'm attracted to shiny garbage and complicated machines, and using wool to recreate metal and plastic is a compelling process for me. I tried to create a kind of overwhelming, confusing, familiar-unfamiliar system, or is it a testing ground for the human guinea pig? I want people to imagine that the push of a button could trigger the end of things, or candy for everyone, or nothing at all. It took me a full year to create all the components, and 4 days to install, first at the Bellevue Arts Museum and now, in a different configuration, at The Exploratorium.

How do you feel about being included in The Art of Tinkering? Are there any makers in the book that inspire you?

Moxie:The Art of Tinkering is such a beautiful book, of course I'm completely honored to be a part of it. Every single page is an inspiration. I love Grace Kim's approach to e-textiles. Asia Ward's work touches me and her advice to new tinkerers is dead-on. Ranjit Bhatnagar and Walter Kitundu do astounding things, making me see, and hear, the world around me in a new way. And of course, Tim Hunkin – I want to run away and join his circus. I could go on, and on, and on. It's a great book.

You are a tinkerer, but I know you are also a great needle felting teacher. What kinds of simple projects do you recommend for a newbie needle felted? Also how young should kids be to try this art form?

Moxie: One of the core principles of tinkering is allowing yourself to play openly, which is also my approach to teaching. The minute you try to make something specific before you know how a method works, it's easy to become shut-down with fear and expectations. I recommend not worrying about the outcome of any first project, just pick up a needle and some wool, and see what happens. Make a ball, make a blob, make a mess, just let yourself feel how the materials change in your hands, and let your intuition guide you. Having said that, learning style is also important to consider. Some people have an easier time with instructions first, and that works too. (I have some free step-by-step tutorials online and there's a link to supplies there, too.)

I've taught children as young as 5, but it depends on the situation. As long as kids under 12 have the ACTIVE supervision of an adult, and the ability to poke slowly while always watching their own hands, it works well.

Have there been any projects made by your students that just blew you away?

Moxie: I absolutely love to see student work of all kinds, I find it truly inspiring. I always get excited when students connect with me online and send me photos. One of my favorites lately was a zombified-doll, with guts and stuff. I have a Felted With Moxie Flickr group for students and people who have read my book to post photos.

What are some of the current projects you are working on? Do you also have any upcoming events at the Exploratorium?

Moxie: I keep in touch with the folks at The Exploratorium. We don't have anything on the books at the moment but they'll never be rid of me. We'll play together again, I'm sure.

Coincidentally, I'm in a tinkering period, so I have a bunch of things smoldering right now. I'm experimenting with mixing some plastic tubing with fiber, I'm doing research for a piece I want to do dealing with family history and trans-generational trauma, and I'm daydreaming about doing some larger collaborations for art in unexpected venues. It's a fun time, but hard to describe. That's the beauty of tinkering, of course. You start in one place and find yourself somewhere else entirely.

The Exploratorium asked some of their makers "hack" the book cover. Here's what Moxie did: